VB RIGHTS CATALOG 2022

FICTION

THE NATION’S GAMBIT

Johan Høst

The prime minister is kidnapped and the terrorist behind the attack has one demand: That the politicians play a chess game where the prime minister’s life is on the line. Each piece on the chess board represents politicians, media personalities, business leaders and other influential public figures. Every time the terrorist wins a piece, a person must pay with their life.

Before the first move is made a semi-trailer pulls up outside the parliament building. The sides of the trailer are blown off and sitting on the loading platform is the Prime Minister in a glass cage. The game is on and the game clock is ticking. So is the clock on the bomb display attached around the prime minister's neck.

The parliamentarians are faced with an impossible dilemma. Should they sacrifice the prime minister in order to save lives? The emergency squad’s officer Anton Block is fighting an almost impossible battle against the clock to find the terrorist, stop the killings and save democracy, all while the world is watching every move.

The use of chess in this novel is done with a level of ambition I have never before seen in literature. ATLE GRØNN, international Grandmaster

A rambunctious successful crime novel where all the pieces on the board are moved masterfully. VG

(…) Johan Høst has written an impressive thriller debut. He puts the bar sky high, and goes over by a good margin. NRK

Exquisite, well-stored quality craziness of the noblest brand in this debut from Johan Høst. Dagens Næringsliv

Johan Høst (b. 1971) is a copywriter, entrepreneur and creative director in his own advertising agency. He is also the presenter of Norsk Tipping (The National lottery) on NRK and a four-time Norwegian National Curling champion. The Nation’s Gambit is his first novel.

PAGES: 426 CRIME

RIGHTS OWNER: OSLO LITERARY AGENCY BULGARIA: ERA, DENMARK: PEOPLES PRESS PUBLISHER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE ORIGINAL TITLE: EN NASJON I SJAKK

KOLBEINSØY

Bergsveinn Birgisson

A man decides to visit his depressed friend who is admitted to a psychiatric ward. They start talking to each other and pick up their friendship again, but are constantly interrupted by the nurse in charge. The friends decide to flee the hospital together, but it soon turns out that they are being persecuted by the angry nurse. It develops into a fierce chase ending with them overpowering the woman and traveling on with her tied up in the back of the car.

The escape from civilization is becoming increasingly challenging, and the two friends must seek refuge in remote areas in order to remain together. They set course for the outermost island in the north of Iceland – Kolbeinsøy –constantly with the aggressive nurse as a travel companion.

Vivid, captivating – uncontrollably funny, touching and thoughtful road-saga, I read it in one sitting. A page-turner constantly taking new, unpredictable turns Niels Beider, Editor Gyldendal (Denmark)

Kolbeinsøy is a warm and surprisingly positive novel about life and how we live with the demons we cannot get rid of. Bok365.no

Bergsveinn Birgisson (b. 1971) holds a doctorate in Norse philology and has an expansive background in folklore, oral histories, and lyrical poetry. He currently resides in Bergen, Norway, where he continues to write classical tales. Birgisson’s work has been widely recognized through prestigious awards and nominations.

RIGHTS OWNER: IMMATERIAL AGENTS AUSTRIA/GERMAN RIGHTS: RESIDENZ VERLAG, DENMARK: GYLDENDAL, FRANCE: ACTES SUD, THE NETHERLANDS: OEVERS

PUBLISHER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

ORIGINAL TITLE: KOLBEINSØY PAGES: 200 FICTION

YOU ARE MY STORY

Trine-Lise Rygh

The woman in this novel is in a relationship that has gradually fallen apart. Her husband is depressed. He always has been, and lives his life on the side of everyone else's. He takes walks. Disappearing down the road from the house where they hoped to find happiness together.

You are my story depicts one year in a marriage, and gives us insight into the couple’s shared history through condensed flashbacks, reflected beautifully and painfully while written with a strong and distinct literary voice.

Trine-Lise Rygh’s new novel is both sensational and eerily credible. Dagbladet

Painful, beautiful and well-written about shouldering too big a responsibility (…) Stavanger Aftenblad

Trine-Lise Rygh (b. 1974) won the Språklig Samling literary award for her debut novel Hundedager (Dog Days) (2020). You are my story is her second novel.

RIGHTS OWNER: WINJE AGENCY PUBLISHER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE ORIGINAL TITLE: DU ER MIN HISTORIE PAGES: 205 FICTION

HARP SONG FROM A SILENT WOOD

Laila Brenden

Harp Song from a Silent Wood is a story of love and betrayal chronicling woman’s journey from deep within the Norwegian woods to the great concert halls of Europe.

Ane Solingen, an independent woman with captivating eyes, has a unique inner strength. Is this why the people of the village dislike her? She has found happiness with Hans, and they live in harmony with nature on a small homestead in the forest. Ane’s life unravels when she finds Hans dead in the woods. Soon after, Ane realises she’s pregnant and has no choice but to seek help from the villagers. To her surprise, they show her kindness, and she receives a gift that will change her life forever.

When tragedy strikes again, Ane is better prepared and ready to sacrifice everything for the most important person in her life. Ane knows what to do, but not that it will change her life dramatically.

RIGHTS OWNER: WINJE AGENCY

GERMANY: ULLSTEIN LIST

PUBLISHER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

ORIGINAL TITLE: TONER FRA EN STILLE SKOG

PAGES: 407 FICTION

The first two volumes of a historical trilogy of commercial women’s fiction, set at the turn of the nineteenth century.

SHADOWS BENEATH THE SURFACE

Laila Brenden

About secrets from the past and contending with the small-town parochial beast

1914: Europe is in flames and Ane Solingen flees Bremen to seek refuge in Norway with her husband Carl and her son. But even in the tiny village near the city of Kongsvinger it is difficult to find peace. The small-town parochial beast never rests and Carl’s German origin makes the family an easy target as acts of war begin to affect Norwegian interests.

Ane attempts to navigate considerations for friends and family, but then she meets a housekeeper who knew her mother, who died when Ane was four years old. Though the housekeeper can’t tell her much, it is enough to awaken a desire to learn more. However, when she starts asking questions people are evasive. It is as if someone doesn’t want her digging up the past – as if someone has a great deal to lose should Ane’s family secrets be brought to light.

Laila Brenden (b. 1956) is a Norwegian author of more than 80 historical romance novels. Her book-series Hannah and Mountainroses have sold in excess of a million copies in Norway, and are also published in Sweden and Poland. Brenden has also written several non-fiction books for children and adults.

RIGHTS OWNER: WINJE AGENCY

PUBLISHER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

ORIGINAL TITLE: SKYGGER UNDER OVERFLATEN

PAGES: 479

FICTION

CHRISTMAS FOR DUMMIES

Tove Braathen

Expectations, entanglements and crazy girlfriends.

Lillian has left Kolbjørn. She is ready for a new chapter in life, age is no obstacle! Kolbjørn has kept the house, that’s perfectly fine – because Kolbjørn isn’t going to change anything anyway. He is solid as a rock. And dull as dishwater.

Lillian’s friend Rose, on the other hand, is far from dull. On the contrary, she is a bit too much of a good thing. Her friends agree that the fact that Rose has been living in Spain has been a good thing, but she is, after all, one of the four-leaf clovers. And now she's coming home for Christmas. Before she knows it, Lillian has agreed to letting Rose stay with her, in her new two-bedroom apartment.

About Yes, We Love (2020):

A thought-provoking novel (...) you can’t help but feel a little tenderness when these lonely souls eventually reach out to one another. Stavanger Aftenblad

Tove Braathen (b. 1952) is a retired teacher, who has received acclaim for her novels about current topics such as the divided city and school policy. Christmas for Dummies is her fifth novel.

RIGHTS OWNER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

PUBLISHER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE ORIGINAL TITLE:JUL FOR NYBEGYNNERE PAGES: 352 FICTION

NON-FICTION

EIRIK THE RED

Øystein Morten

The saga of Eirik the Red is short: He flees from Norway to Iceland after a murder, marries into a local chieftain’s family, starts a small war, explores a vast country to the west, calls it Greenland and establishes a community of settlers there before the country is Christianised against his will and his sons explore America.

Behind these condensed sentences hides a sea of events and connections that until now have not been discovered about Eirik the Red and his son Leiv Eiriksson. In this book, Øystein Morten explores what Eirik the Red was really looking for on Greenland.

Join Øystein Morten on a sensational journey of discovery of old Norse settlements in the polar regions!

Øystein Morten’s books are as exciting as crime novels and as solid as historical works. Following this history detective to Greenland in search of Eirik the Red is a pure reading feast. Jan Ove Ekeberg, author of The Last Viking King-series.

Øystein Morten (b. 1973) has a number of critically acclaimed books to his name. The Search for Saint Olav received a 5-star review. In 2017, he published the bestseller Abandoned Norwegian Farms – The story of the places we left behind.

RIGHTS OWNER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

PUBLISHER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

ORIGINAL TITLE: EIRIK RAUDE

PAGES: 368 HISTORY

FATHERS AND SONS

A family history from the tsars’ Russia to the Cold War. Dag Steinfeld

Four generations through Hot and Cold war

From a young age, Dag Steinfeld was aware of the strong conflicts within his Jewish family. The elders spoke of fathers and sons who had despised one another through generations, ever since the family fled poverty and persecution in 19th century Russia. When Dag Steinfeld is 15, history repeats itself. In the wake of the Vietnam war he clashes with his father, a pro-NATO Cold war supporter. He is kept under surveillance, and eventually reported to the police by his own father.

Years later, Dag Steinfeld decides to investigate his family’s past, to better understand his own father, and his forefathers. It is the beginning of a journey through the past century in Europe – a history told through one family.

Dag Steinfeld (b. 1955) is a renowned Norwegian lawyer. He retired from law in 2019, and currently works in the field of human rights and culture.

RIGHTS OWNER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

PUBLISHER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

ORIGINAL TITLE: FEDRE OG SØNNER

PAGES: 302 HISTORY

THE SILVER SCHOONER

The mutiny on "Plattsburg"

Dag Hundstad

In the summer of 1816, the schooner “Plattsburg” sails from Baltimore to Turkey to buy opium. 18 crates with 48,000 gold and silver coins have been loaded on board.

The captain is a slave driver, and while the ship is crossing the Atlantic there is talk of mutiny below deck. The crew murders the captain and the other officers, and throws the bodies overboard. Now the mutineers must find a port to shelter in. They eventually sail to the harbour of Kleven outside the small town of Mandal, on the southern coast of Norway. They check into local inns and try to blend in with the locals. But the gold and silver jingle in their pockets and the sailors’ extravagance and wild behaviour leave its mark on the small village

As rumours reach the American consul in Kristiansand, the crew flees. We follow the riveting hunt for the mutineers throughout Europe, while the American president sends a warship to join the chase.

Dag Hundstad (b. 1976) is a Norwegian historian. Since 2018 he has been head of the Norwegian Institute of Local History. He has written several books with particular emphasis on coastal culture and Southern Norway.

RIGHTS OWNER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE PUBLISHER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE ORIGINAL TITLE: SØLVSKONNERTEN PAGES: 254 HISTORY

SOURDOUGH BAKING from ILLE BRØD

Martin Fjeld, Anca Tînc, Kateřina Soukupová og Alan Bates

A complete book for baking with sourdough, written by the country’s leading sourdough bakers.

The baking buddies who call themselves “ille brød” (Amazingly Good Bread) started a sourdough revolution in Norway. In 2015, they published the book that taught Norwegians how to bake heavenly sourdough bread. Since then, author Martin Fjeld has started a sourdough bakery that has been voted Oslo’s best bakery.

It all started with home baking on the kitchen counter, and in this new book you will learn how you can use sourdough in all types of baking. There are recipes for cinnamon rolls, pizza, brioche, burger buns, biscuits, pretzels, waffles and a variety of breads – to name but a few. In addition, there are basic chapters on making sourdough starters and on different types of flour.

Martin Fjeld (b. 1985) started sourdough baking in 2013, and in 2017 he started the ille brød Sourdough Bakery in Oslo (the name is a pun on the Fredrikstad local expression “ille bra” – “mad good = amazingly good”). A number of top restaurants serve their bread.

Anca Tinc, Katarina Soukupova and Alan Bates are bakers at ille brød and co-authors of the book.

RIGHTS OWNER: ILLE BRØD PUBLISHER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE ORIGINAL TITLE: SURDEIGSBAKST FRA ILLE BRØD PAGES: 208 FOOD & DRINK

KNIT WITH FLØTRE

Cable braids and structural knits with Fløtre Trine Fløtre-Gansmoe

Cable knits and texture are visually striking, and add that little something to knitted garments. This book abounds in great patterns, from classic to modern designs. This book presents everything from simple to more demanding patterns.

These are classic garments with a long lifespan, for women and children – even school-age boys, for whom there are generally few patterns available. You also learn how to adapt patterns and sizes, so that the garment fits perfectly.

Trine Fløtre-Gansmoe (b. 1981) is a digital marketer and knitter. She runs her company Fløtre where she sells knitting patterns and her own popular knitting accessories (floetre. no). Her knitting tips and videos have a huge number of followers on Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest (3 million views per month).

RIGHTS OWNER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

PUBLISHER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

ORIGINAL TITLE: STRIKK MED FLØTRE

PAGES: 176 AGE: CRAFTS & HOBBIES

CHILDREN'S FICTION

HARRY THE (NOT SO) HAPPY HIPPO

Ragnar Aalbu

The world’s first picture book in 2.5D-format!

Harry is on the beach with his mother and siblings. The others go for a swim, but Harry prefers to stay ashore. You get wet in the water, and who knows what hides in the gloom beneath the surface. But as sand and sunscreen clump together making Harry look like a chicken nugget, he thinks that maybe it would be nice to go swimming after all. However, it’s not easy to admit that you have changed your mind.

This illustrated book full of sun and summer is presented in a unique “laptop 2.5D format”, meaning that the book is opened up and read the way you open a laptop. This creates a kind of stereoscope effect, giving the book a completely different visual depth. Not quite 3D, but 2.5D!

Ragnar Aalbu (b. 1966) made his debut as a picture book author in 2004. He has been nominated for the Nordic Council’s literature award, has received the Norwegian Ministry of Culture’s Award for children’s and youth literature three times, as well as three nominations.

DET SUSER I SIVERT

RAGNAR AALBU

RIGHTS OWNER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

PUBLISHER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

ORIGINAL TITLE: DET SUSER I SIVERT PAGES: 48 AGE: 3–6

COCK-A-DOODLE-WOOF

Bo Gaustad

The ultimate illustrated book about roosters, bullfighting and nearsighted men.

Henri the rooster is bored. He is tired of hens who do not pay attention to him, and of having to get up at the crack of dawn every single day to crow cock-a-doodle-doo to an ungrateful audience. There must be more to life than this! Henri heads off into the world trying his hand as a guide dog, bullfighter and trapeze artist. But it’s not easy discovering what you want in life.

Bo Gaustad (b. 1946) is an award-winning author and illustrator. She has published four illustrated books of her own, and has illustrated books for a number of other authors, such as Maria Parr, Ole Robert Sunde and Lars Saabye Christensen. Bo Gaustad has participated in a number of exhibitions, and her work has been purchased by, amongst others, the Norwegian National Library.

RIGHTS OWNER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE PUBLISHER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE ORIGINAL TITLE: KYKKELIVOFF PAGES: 32 AGE: 3–6

BO GAUSTAD KYKKELIVOFF

IMAGINE BEING HUMAN

Idun Ramsdal and Nora Brech (ill.)

Strikingly beautiful and well-illustrated collection of poems.

Could there be lions in the house? Where does sleep come from? Does a tree know that it creaks when the wind blows in its leaves?

Through forty-five poems, Imagine being human depicts a child’s experiences and reflections from waking up in the morning until falling asleep at night. This collection of poems is beautifully illustrated by Nora Brech.

when mom runs it is possible to keep up with her – at least on a bike but when she sits down on the sofa it is impossible to sit quite as still.

Idun Alma Ramsdal (b. 1983) often wonders what it is like to be a human. When she is not reading everything she comes across about relationships and feelings, she writes. Imagine being human is her first book.

Nora Brech (b.1988) is an acclaimed picture book author and illustrator. She has a degree in art drawing. In 2019 she was nominated for the Norwegian Book Award (Brageprisen) for her illustrations in a children’s book.

RIGHTS OWNER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

PUBLISHER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

ORIGINAL TITLE: TENK Å VERE EIT MENNESKE PAGES: 60 AGE: 3–6

RAINY DAY

Max Estes

A splashy story – without a word.

A little boy stands at the window watching as the rain falls outside. He puts on his rainwear and hurries out the door with his dog. They jump from puddle to puddle. The rain pours and the puddles become deeper and deeper. Soon the boy and his dog are sailing down the street in an umbrella!

The current becomes stronger and suddenly the street becomes a river, on its way to the open sea!

A wordless picture book in the land between fantasy and reality.

Max Estes (b. 1977) was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and currently resides in Fredrikstad, Norway. Since his debut in 2005, he has published around 20 books.

RIGHTS OWNER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

PUBLISHER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

ORIGINAL TITLE: REGNVÆRSDAGEN

PAGES: 48 AGE: 3–6

WHERE IS EVERYBODY?

HELLO-O! IT’S BIRTHDAY TIME! Lars Mæhle and Odd Henning Skyllingstad (ill.)

Ju-hu! I dag har Leon og Live bursdag! De kommer til barnehagen sammen med pappaen, en detektivkoffert og verdens største bløtkake. Men … I barnehagen er det ingen barn. Heller ikke Elin er der. Bare Sven Ingvar.

It’s Leon and Live’s birthday! They are so looking forward to the celebration at the kindergarten, but when they arrive there’s nobody there. What happened? Where is everyone? This is a case for Crow’s Nest Kindergarten’s very own detectives!

Det er jo krise. Ingen å feire bursdag med! Men vent … ingen barn? Er ikke det veldig rart? Kanskje til og med et mysterium?

Lars Mæhle (b. 1971) has written more than 40 books for children and young adults. Mæhle debuted in 2002 with the novel Keeperen til Tunisia, which was later made into a film. His big breakthrough came in 2009 with the fantasy novel The Land Under the Ice, which won the Uprisen, the Fable Award and the Norwegian Ministry of Culture’s literature award. Mæhle has published a number of books for children, amongst them the best-selling series Mysteriene in Kråkeslottet kindergarten (Mysteries at Crow’s Nest Kindergarten).

MYSTERIENE I KRÅKESLOTTET BARNEHAGE Lars Mæhle Odd Henning Skyllingstad

HVOR ER ALLE SAMMEN?

HALLO-O? DET ER BURSDAG!

BARNEHAG EKRIM BARNEHAG EKRIM

ISBN 978-82-419-5914-1

ISBN 978-82-419-5914-1 9 788241 959141

Odd Henning Skyllingstad (b. 1978) is a cartoonist and illustrator. He is educated in animation at the Volda University College, and won the Sproing Award for the short film Børre er død (Børre is dead).

MYSTERIENE I KRÅKESLOTTET BARNEHAGE

RIGHTS OWNER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE PUBLISHER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE ORIGINAL TITLE: HVOR ER ALLE SAMMEN? HALLO-O? DET ER BURSDAG!

PAGES: 44 AGE: 3–6

HVOR ER ALLE SAMMEN?

Lars Mæhle • Odd Henning Skyllingstad

It’s birthday time at the kindergarten! But where is everybody?

WHERE’S THE EASTER BUNNY’S NOSE?

Easter’s biggest mystery: Where’s the last piece of the puzzle?

It’s Eastertime! Leon and Live are visiting a mountain lodge with some of the other kids from Crow’s Nest Kindergarten. They have almost finished putting together a really difficult jigsaw puzzle when they discover something terrible: The last piece is missing! The piece with the Easter Bunny’s nose! You can’t have an Easter Bunny without a nose now, can you? And there should be 100 pieces in the puzzle, not just 99. It’s not only a mystery, it’s also incredibly annoying. Leon and Live take the case, and the solution turns out to be ... rather sticky!

EASTER EGGS, CRABS AND MOSQUITOES

THE MYSTERIES AT CROW'S NEST KINDERGATREN

Third collection book about the world’s youngest detectives!

This book is a collection of three stories: Where is the Easter egg?, Where are the crabs, and Where are the mosquitoes?

RIGHTS OWNER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE PUBLISHER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE ORIGINAL TITLE: HVOR ER NESA TIL PÅSKEHAREN?

PAGES: 44 AGE: 3–6

RIGHTS OWNER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE PUBLISHER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE ORIGINAL TITLE: MYSTERIENE I KRÅKESLOTTET BARNEHAGE: PÅSKEEGG, KRABBER OG MYGG

PAGES: 116 AGE: 3–6

JUST SUPER

Nicolai Houm and Victoria H. Hamre (ill.)

11-year-old gamer Hedvig finds her life turned upside down when she is forced to replace her father as the town’s superhero much earlier than expected. But Hedvig is no superhero, and the challenges are far greater than her coaching father anticipated. He soon realizes focus must shift to his athletic nephew Adrian instead. Dejected and confused, Hedvig turns to her grandmother. An unlikely team emerges, and soon Hedvig is about to fulfill their family legacy without her father’s knowledge.

Just super is also an animated feature film from Qvisten Animation.

Nicolai Houm (b. 1974) made his debut with short prose in the anthology Signaler (Signals) in 2002 and published his first novel in 2004. Houm is educated as a journalist at Oslo University College and has been a student at Forfatterstudiet (Writers’ Studies) in Bø. He writes books for both adults and children.

Victoria H. Hamre (b. 1993) is a Norwegian illustrator, cartoonist and art historian who has created cartoons and illustrated children’s books for Norwegian and international publishers.

ORIGINAL TITLE: HELT SUPER

PAGES: 112 AGE: 6-9

RIGHTS OWNER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

PUBLISHER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

You don't have to be a superhero to be super!

TITINA

Lars Mæhle and Emma McCann (ill.)

The complete story based on the beautifully animated film about the first dog on the North Pole!

Did you know that the North Pole was discovered by airship? And that a small dog was a central part of this big adventure together with the Norwegian polar hero Roald Amundsen and the Italian engineer Umberto Nobile? In this beautiful, illustrated story we are given the complete exciting and evocative story of the terrier Titina’s journey to the Arctic. The book also contains a factual section with historical photographs.

Lars Mæhle (b. 1971) has written more than 40 books for children and young adults. Mæhle debuted in 2002 with the novel Keeperen til Tunisia, which was later made into a film. His big breakthrough came in 2009 with the fantasy novel The Land Under the Ice, which won the Uprisen, the Fable Award and the Norwegian Ministry of Culture’s literature award. Mæhle has published a number of books for children, amongst them the best-selling series Mysteriene in Kråkeslottet kindergarten (Mysteries at Crow’s Nest Kindergarten).

Emma McCann is a Scottish artist. After graduating art school, Emma started working on hand drawn animated features, and has never looked back since. Emma was production designer and art director on the feature Titina, and the book based on her film is her debut as a book illustrator.

RIGHTS OWNER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

PUBLISHER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

ORIGINAL TITLE: TITINA

PAGES: 88 AGE: 6-9

THE SHINING CROWN

Bjørn Ousland

Laughs and thrills in a brand new adventure from a masterful storyteller.

A poor farmer finds a crown while working in the fields. The crown fits perfectly on his newborn daughter’s head, and so there it stays. After a fatal accident, the little girl is adopted by the royal family and grows up as a princess. With the crown still on her head, she gains a magical power of attraction: Everyone in her presence becomes happy and giddy.

When the princess is kidnapped by trolls during one of her secret evening walks, good advice is hard to come by. Many people try to save her, but in the end it is the poor boy Ash, who manages to rescue her from the trolls’ cave. He is also the only one who is able to look past her magical crown and see the girl for whom she really is. The Shining Crown is a stand-alone sequel to The Dark Heart

Bjørn Ousland (b. 1959) is educated as a cartoonist in the US, and has received numerous awards for his cartoons and children’s book illustrations. His comic strips have been published in the US, Denmark, Sweden and Finland. His works have been purchased by the National Library, in addition to several solo exhibitions.

RIGHTS OWNER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

PUBLISHER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

ORIGINAL TITLE: DEN LYSENDE KRONEN PAGES: 112 AGE: 6-9

LAUDFAHRT

Shut-down

Thomas Framnes and Joachim Berg (ill.)

Willy Laudfahrt has decided to set himself up as a businessman. It can only go one way – down the drain!

Willy Laudfahrt, the unlucky boy with the unfortunate last name, wants to win the contest for best student company. His business idea is to start a cleaning agency. But everything Willy takes on will inevitably end up a right mess. And it really doesn’t help that Willy’s hippie dad scatters about his terrible entrepreneurial advice and hereditary bad luck. It ends with Willy having the health inspectors, an art museum and the cutest girl in school, on his back.

Thomas Framnes (b. 1972) is an experienced copywriter. When he is not writing children’s books, he works as an information manager for the Norwegian Metrology Service.

Joachim Berg (b. 1984) is an illustrator who has studied classical drawing at the Florence Academy of Art in Italy, and animation at Volda University College. He has worked as an illustrator, graphic designer, clothing designer and is now employed by Qvisten Animation.

RIGHTS OWNER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

PUBLISHER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

ORIGINAL TITLE: BRAKFIS: KROKEN PÅ DØRA

PAGES: 128 AGE: 6-9

THE FORTUNE-TELLING CUP

Camilla Otterlei and Tiril Valeur (ill.)

Simone has been looking forward to the spring fair with carousels and cotton candy. In the fortune-telling cup the fortuneteller foresees that great secrets will be revealed. Simone and her friends laugh it off, but doubts arise when they discover that the fortune-telling cup is left on the ground when the fair moves on. Soon one surprise replaces the other. What is Peter planning? Why is Leah even grumpier than usual? And what’s with all the white envelopes piling up in her mailbox?

The fortune-telling cup is a charming story filled with fortunetelling, family ties and friendship – and how to help a friend whose world is turned upside down!

About Katt savna (Cat missing) (2019): Make a cup of hot chocolate with lots of whipped cream, light the fireplace and enjoy Katt savna/Cat missing. Fædrelandsvennen

About Earthquake Heart (2020): ... speaks about about friendship in a beautiful way. Fædrelandsvennen

Camilla Otterlei (b. 1980) is a writer, teacher and speaker. She is a member of NBU (Norwegian Writers for Children) and NFFO (Norwegian non-fiction Writers and Translators Association), and has published a number of books in various genres since her debut in 2004. For the illustrated book Kunsten å møte en bjørn (The art of meeting a bear) (2015) she received the Språklig Samlings literature award.

Tiril Valeur (b. 1975) is an illustrator, author and graphic designer. She is educated at the Oslo National Academy of the Arts and has illustrated both her own and other authors’ books since her debut in 2008.

RIGHTS OWNER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

PUBLISHER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

ORIGINAL TITLE: SPÅKOPPEN

PAGES: 208 AGE: 6-9

Can you predict the future to save a friend in need?

JOHNNY 777 MISSION 5: LOS ANGELES

Bjørn Sortland and Ketil Selnes (ill.)

Johnny 777 goes to Hollywood!

Jon works undercover as agent Johnny 777 for the secret organisation EHO. Alongside Ninja Princess, he has been on madcap missions all over the world. Now they are off to Los Angeles on a mission that is just too much fun. They will need to use their skills to test whether it is possible break into the super-secure house of the super-rich Anita Überschmart, to prevent dangerous villains from doing the same. But it turns out that these dangerous villains have already hatched a deadly plan that is no fun at all…

Johnny 777 Mission 5: Los Angeles is the fifth book in Sortland’s and Selnes’ critically acclaimed bestselling series, full of humour, action and excitement!

Johnny 777 Mission 4: Bergen is nominated for the ARK children's literature award 2022

About the Johnny 777-series: Narratives pave the way across the pages, both in text and illustrations. Bergens Tidende

Bjørn Sortland (b. 1968) is educated at Skrivekunstakademiet (Academy for Creative Writing) in Bergen and made his debut as a writer in 1992. He has published a number of award-winning books for children, young adults and adults, and is particularly known for the bestselling series Kunstdetektivene / The Art Detectives and Johnny 777. Sortland is a professor at The Norwegian Institute for Children’s Books.

Ketil Selnes (b. 1974) is a graphic designer, a graduate from SFGD (now Kristiania University College). He also holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in illustration from Falmouth University of Arts in Cornwall, UK. Amongst other things, Selnes has illustrated Aftenposten Junior and illustrated a number children’s books.

RIGHTS OWNER: WSOY/BONNIER RIGHTS FINLAND

PUBLISHER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

ORIGINAL TITLE: JOHNNY 777 MISSION 5: LOS ANGELES

PAGES: 188 AGE: 9-12

CYBJØRG 2.0 NEXT LEVEL

Ida Therese Klungland

Cybjørg has become a real hero! Everybody knows that she can deal with scary villains, and now they are asking for her help with everything from wifi passwords to fixing coffeemakers. Cybjørg does like to talk to computers, but when our hero’s everyday life becomes too much IT-support and too little heroics, it’s more exciting to play UniMax with Arnold.

Once again, strange things begin to happen in her home town, and Cybjørg suspects that the bad guys are back. But what is the right thing to do when her new friends are becoming too square? And will everyone stop liking her if she can no longer be a hero?

Cybjørg 2.0 Next level is about identity and coolness, friendship and gaming, old nemesis and new heroics.

About Cybjørg (2021): [It] is impressive how [Klungland] manages to incorporate one of the most important ethical challenges of our time into a classic suspense novel for children (...) Because it is really exciting. Vårt Land

Ida Therese Klungland (b. 1991) is a literary agent and secondary school teacher who made her debut as a writer in 2021 with Cybjørg. She also creates music under the name idatherese

RIGHTS OWNER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

PUBLISHER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

ORIGINAL TITLE: CYBJØRG 2.0 NEXT LEVEL

PAGES: 301 AGE: 9-12

Do you have to be a hero to be a good friend?

TWILIGHT TALES

Rebecca Wexelsen and Jens Kristensen (ill.)

Horror stories that will keep you awake at night!

A collection of stand-alone short stories from a world that is very reminiscent of our own, yet completely different. Here the everyday is mixed with the inexplicable, resulting in a dark, unpleasant and completely distinctive mood.

Rebecca Wexelsen (b. 1986) made her debut with the poetry collection Så faller jeg / So I fall in 2017. Her debut novel, Hotel Montebello was published in 2019. She made her children’s book debut with Ulf er uvel / Ulf is unwell in 2020. It won the Ministry of Culture’s illustrated book award the following year, and was also nominated for the Critics’ Award and NBU’s (Norwegian Writers for Children) award Trollkrittet.

Jens Kristensen (b. 1975) works as an illustrator and visual artist in Oslo. He is educated at the Norwegian National Academy of Craft and Art Industry, and has worked for a number of publishers since 1999, mainly with children’s literature.

RIGHTS OWNER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

PUBLISHER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

ORIGINAL TITLE: DUNKLE FORTELLINGER PAGES: 88 AGE: 9-12

RINO

Journey to the island of the dead

Regine Toften Holst

New action-packed graphic novel!

Rino is the heir to the throne, but his royal duties do not interest him. He senses that the kingdom he is about to rule is founded on injustice. Rino dreams of a different life, with freedom and adventure. One day he gets more than he bargained for: Suddenly he finds himself on a pirate ship setting sail for a bewitched island. It will be a journey he will not soon forget, with sword-wielding pirates and dangerous evil spells.

Regine Toften Holst (b. 1993) is a trained animator, and works as an illustrator and cartoonist. She started making comics online in 2007, but not until 2017 did her career as an illustrator begin. She has illustrated several children’s books, and is particularly fond of drawing animals.

RIGHTS OWNER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

PUBLISHER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

ORIGINAL TITLE: RINO PAGES: 88 AGE: 9-12

PERFECT

Ingunn Røyset

Do you have to be perfect when you are only 13 years old?

Pia will never be one of the cool kids in her junior high school. She knows that. Not with her horrible hair, braces, and the nickname Peanut. But when her best friend Nathalie decides to be become the Junior High Queen, Pia is forced to embark on a journey she had not quite planned. Or does she really have to?

Pia has a secret no one knows. Sometimes she finds it difficult to just get through the days – and nights. No one understands her; not Nathalie, nor mum and dad. Does anyone in the whole world understand how she feels?

About Don’t share the chocolate spread in a war: ... An exciting and engaging story. Exceptionally good storytelling. barnebokkritikk.no

Ingunn Røyset (b. 1965) has a Bachelor’s degree in social work, and has worked as a journalist, stylist / makeup artist and agricultural temp. Røyset made her debut as an author in 2012, and has published six books for children.

PAGES: 240 AGE: 9-12

RIGHTS OWNER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE PUBLISHER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

ORIGINAL TITLE: PERFEKT

#NAKED

Nina Rossing

Alarmingly relevant about love, sex and social media.

#Naked is about 16-year-old Thea who is looking for a boy for sex. A one-night stand will do, preferably with someone who is good at it, so that she can cross off the last item on her to-do list. #Naked is also about 17-year-old Amund, who has acquired the nickname Don Juan, and seems like the perfect candidate for Thea.

At one of the coolest parties of the year, Thea and Amund sneak off. Neither of them notices someone following them, filming everything. Not until next day, when a video goes viral among the kids at school, and Amund starts to receive threats.

#Naked is a strong and direct YA novel about honesty and vulnerability, sex and social media, and about taking back control when everyone is watching.

An important and topical YA novel that should be read by everyone. Adresseavisen

About #Matchfit:

[Rossing] knows how to construct a plot. #Matchfit paints a convincing picture of how complicated it is to avenge bullying on social media. Periskop.no

Nina Rossing (b. 1976) is an associate professor at a high school in Trondheim where she teaches English, Norwegian and History. She debuted with the youth book #Kampklar in 2019.

RIGHTS OWNER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

PUBLISHER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

ORIGINAL TITLE: #NAKEN

PAGES: 220 AGE: 12-16

DON’T LET THE DEAD COME HERE

Monika Steinholm and Anneli Furmark (ill.)

Illustrated psychological thriller with supernatural elements

Cecilia has lost her mother. Now she has no one. No one to tie her to a hectic world full of disastrous news about war and climate change. Cecilia wants to create a simpler life for herself, and when she discovers a dilapidated small farm deep in the mountains, it feels like coming home. The family living there even says that they have been waiting for her …

Uneasiness slowly creeps into her new existence. Why is she not allowed to cross the river? What really happens out there by the big rowan tree every solstice? And will she ever be able to leave her new home?

About Fuck the World (2015): An incredibly good book! Tough and tender at the same time. Jon Ewo

About Hardly Happy (2020): Steinholm is one of Norway’s very best authors for young readers! Altaposten

Monika Steinholm (b. 1983) has published a number of critically acclaimed books for children and young adults. When she is not writing, she works in a bookstore. She has a degree in creative writing from the University of Tromsø and was nominated for both the Uprisen and NBU’s (Norwegian Writers for Children) Trollkrittet for her debut novel Fuck the world

Anneli Furmark (b. 1962) is a Swedish illustrator, who has published several comic books and graphic novels. For Amatørarnas Afton (Amateur Night) and Jamen forlåt då (I apologise) she received the Urhundenplaketten comic of the year award in Sweden.

RIGHTS OWNER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

PUBLISHER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

ORIGINAL TITLE: IKKE LA DE DØDE KOMME HIT

PAGES: 144 AGE: 12-16

THIS IS ELLEN'S BOOK

Andrea Bræin Hovig

A novel that goes straight to the heart.

Ellen, a shy 13-year-old, has to spend the summer with her father at his cottage. It will be the summer where she not only learns that her father is mentally ill, but that she has an older sister she never knew about. One day the sister comes to stay with them, and suddenly the world is no longer the same.

This is Ellen’s book is a powerful book about families, betrayal, loneliness and finding yourself when everything around you collapses.

Andrea Bræin Hovig (b. 1973) is an author and actress. She has written five books for children and young adults, and as an actress she has won several awards. Amongst them, the prestigious Amanda Award.

RIGHTS OWNER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

PUBLISHER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

ORIGINAL TITLE: DETTE ER ELLENS BOK PAGES: 184 AGE: 12-16

CHILDREN'S NON-FICTION

GET READY FOR SCHOOL

Øistein Kristiansen

A brand new and unique book for school starters.

With Øistein’s help, the young school starter can prepare for the big day through play and activity. Everyone should be allowed to look forward to the first day of school. This book is a fantastic way to help your child get ready for school, by exploring, drawing and colouring.

Øistein Kristiansen (b. 1965) is an artist, cartoonist, TV-presenter and global adventurer. Øistein's goal is to get the whole world to draw, so everyone can unleash their own creativity through drawing.

Øistein is best-known for his TV-shows, such as "Learn to draw", "Box Yourself" and "Right On Top" - shown on channels like Nick Jr Asia, Al Jazeera, NRK in Norway and many more. These programmes have made him a household name in over 70 countries.

Øistein started as a street artist in Norway, and a few years later he became a renowned illustrator in Singapore, working with brands such as Vogue and Elle Magazine. He established his company, Earthtree Media, in Singapore in 1993 before moving back to Norway in 2010. Earthtree is a studio developing and producing TV (live action and animation), books, e-books, interactive apps and live events for children, parents and teachers.

Øistein Kristiansen has for many years, through his books and TV shows entertained and inspired millions of children, young and old with his unique creative eye and simple exercises.

RIGHTS OWNER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

PUBLISHER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

ORIGINAL TITLE: ØISTEINS BLYANT: SKOLESTART PAGES: 96 AGE: 3–6

ROAR

The Life of a Triceratops

Jørn H. Hurum, Torstein Helleve and Esther van Hulsen (ill.)

Roar is the name of an amazing Triceratops fossil that was recently discovered and excavated. This book tells the whole story about Roar.

How did this herbivore with the huge head really live? How did it fare against enemies like the T.rex? And how can you actually find a fossil?

Jørn Hurum is one of our most prominent science communicators. In his inimitable style, he takes us on an exciting journey back to the Cretaceous period. This book, illustrated by two of Norway’s most talented nature illustrators, also contains a wealth of exciting facts about discoveries and excavations of fossils, and about dinosaurs in general.

Jørn H. Hurum (b. 1967) is a paleontologist and one of Norway’s most prominent science communicators. He is a professor at the Natural History Museum in Oslo. Since 2004 he has led a team excavating large marine lizards on Svalbard.

Esther van Hulsen (b. 1981) is a Dutch artist, painter and nature illustrator living in Norway. She is a graduate of the Kunstacademie Minerva Groningen. Van Hulsen has illustrated a number of award-winning non-fiction books for children about prehistoric animals.

Torstein Helleve (b. 1964) works with research communication and information in the Department of Pharmacy at the University of Oslo.

RIGHTS OWNER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

PUBLISHER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

ORIGINAL TITLE: ROAR – HISTORIEN OM EN TRICERATOPS

PAGES: 48 AGE: 6-9

ASTEROIDS

Victoria Sjøholt Engelschiøn and Jakob Fløtre Eiring (ill.)

They streak into the atmosphere with sparkling tails, sometimes causing enormous destruction. A beautiful book for young readers on a fascinating topic.

What is a shooting star? What can these luminous streaks in the night sky tell us about our solar system and the universe? Is it really true that a huge asteroid led to the downfall of the dinosaurs? Geologist and science communicator Victoria Sjøholt Engelschiøn shares with us the fascinating answers in this beautifully illustrated book about asteroids.

Victoria S. Engelschiøn (b. 1989) is a geologist and paleontologist. After writing her Master’s thesis on fossil lizards from Svalbard at NTNU and the Natural History Museum, she worked on manned spaceflights to the moon at ESA's European Astronaut Center in Cologne, Germany. She is currently writing her doctoral thesis on what fossils from the ocean floor can tell us about major changes in the ocean

Jakob Fløtre Eiring (b. 1996) is a filmmaker, animator and illustrator. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in animation from Volda University College with an award-winning exam project, the short film PANDICULATION (2020).

RIGHTS OWNER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

PUBLISHER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

ORIGINAL TITLE: ASTEROIDER PAGES: 48 AGE: 6-9

SPEED AND STRENGTH IN NATURE

Ole Mathismoen and Tom Schandy (ill.)

Close encounter with Norway’s most powerful animals!

In this unique book, we get a close-up look at Norway’s fastest and strongest animals. What exactly is speed and strength in nature? Why is it so important in the animal world? Does the strongest and fastest always win? Easily accessible facts from an award-winning communicator, paired with award-winning photographs make this book a very special experience with a wide reach.

Ole Mathismoen (b. 1961) is one of Norway’s foremost journalists on environmental and climate issues. He has written several books on environmental protection. His books What’s with the climate? (2019) and Green Stuff: Nature and environment and things (2018) were both nominated for the Brageprisen (the National Book Award).

Tom Schandy (b. 1962) is an award-winning nature photographer, journalist, editor, author and publisher. He is a member of the Association of Norwegian Nature Photographers and affiliated with the photo agency Samfoto. Schandy has been the editor of WWF-Norway’s magazine Verdens natur / The world of nature, and in 2010 became co-editor of the newly started magazine, Natur og Foto / Nature & Photography

RIGHTS OWNER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

PUBLISHER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

ORIGINAL TITLE: FART OG STYRKE I NATUREN

PAGES: 48 AGE: 6-9

LOKI GOES HUNTING

A Hunting Book for Children

Bjørn Arild Ersland and Tommy Ellingsen (ill.)

A book about game hunting written especially for children!

In large parts of Norway, and other countries, game hunting is a natural part of the culture and everyday life. Often, children become interested in hunting as pre-schoolers, and there are schools where hunting is an important part of autumn outdoor activities. But until now it has been difficult to find good literature about hunting written for children.

Meet Loki! Loki is seven years old, and one of his favourite things is to go hunting with his grandfather and uncle Bjørn. In this book we get to go hunting with them, and learn a lot about animals, equipment and what it means to be a hunter.

Bjørn Arild Ersland (b. 1965) has written a number of critically acclaimed children’s books. He is best known for his award-nominated picture and non-fiction books. He is a professor of literary writing at the University of Stavanger.

Tommy Ellingsen (b. 1986) is a photographer mainly working for Dagens Næringsliv and Stavanger Aftenblad. His photos have been published in The New York Times, Time Magazine and several other newspapers and magazines in Norway and abroad. He won Photo of the Year 2011 in Norway.

PAGES: 56 AGE: 9-12

RIGHTS OWNER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

PUBLISHER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

ORIGINAL TITLE: LOKE ER JEGER

20 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT

by Ole Mathismoen and Jenny Jordahl (ill.)

In 2022, environmental protection is perhaps the most important subject you can learn. Recycling is especially important, and in this book comic strips are recycled. From the best-selling Green Stuff and the sequel Wild Stuff, we have collected the best comic strips about protecting the environment, with an addition of plenty of useful and important information.

Ole Mathismoen (b. 1961) is one of Norway’s foremost journalists on environmental and climate issues. He has written several books on environmental protection. His books What’s with the climate? (2019) and Green Stuff: Nature and environment and things (2018) were both nominated for Brageprisen (the National Book Award).

Jenny Jordahl (b. 1989) is an illustrator, cartoonist, graphic designer, blogger and author with a wide range of publications. She has received several awards, and rights to her books have been sold to many countries.

PAGES: 48 AGE: 9-12

RIGHTS OWNER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE PUBLISHER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE ORIGINAL TITLE: 20 GREIER DU BØR VITE OM MILJØVERN

BIG WORDS

Foreign words dictionary for children

Ronny Haugeland

A darkly funny dictionary for older children!

What words are hidden in the stories behind each letter? With a distinctive style and dark humour, illustrator and cartoonist Ronny Haugeland plays with search and find spreads and perspectives. This makes Big Words a very special foreign word dictionary for older kids – full of absurd, funny and unusual words!

Ronny Haugeland (b. 1976) is an award-winning comic book creator and illustrator who has been making comics since he was 16 years old. Amongst other things, he has illustrated the children’s novel My Friend, the Pirate, which was nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Award.

RIGHTS OWNER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE PUBLISHER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

ORIGINAL TITLE: STORE ORD PAGES: 72 AGE: 9-12

SØSTRE

Mariangela Di Fiore and Cathrine Trønnes Lie

In 2011. 17 year old Cathrine and her sister Elisabeth go together to Camp Utøya, to make new friends, discuss politics and dream about the future. The first few days are filled with laughter and joy. But then the unimaginable happens – and only one of the two sisters return home.

Ten years have passed since the tragedy on Utøya. This is Cathrine’s story about the days before, during, and after the events that changed both her, and the country, forever. It is a story of grief, hope, and a new future.

This should be on display in all school libraries (…) sets a new standard in its genre Stavanger Aftenblad

[The] best ever written abpout 22 July. Klassekampen

[A] concise and intense book, its sentences short, to the point and direct. And as a result, its imagery shines even more brightly. NRK

When a teenager asks me about 22 July, I will offer them this book about Cathrine Trønnes Lie; not one word is superfluous in this tale about survival. Stavanger Aftenblad

Mariangela Di Fiore (b. 1981) has published numerous books for children and adults in a variety of genres. Best known is Camorraland, a documentary about the Neapolitan mafia.

Cathrines Trønnes Lie (b. 1994) was on Utøya on 22 July 2011. She was shot, and lost her sister there. She has completed several self help courses, and is a licenced Core NLP Leadership & Executive Coach from Ethos Academy.

RIGHTS OWNER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

PUBLISHER: VIGMOSTAD & BJØRKE

ORIGINAL TITLE: SØSTRE. MIN HISTORIE OM UTØYA

PAGES: 150 AGE: 12-16

Vigmostad & Bjørke is one of Norway’s leading publishers of children’s literature, with a varied catalogue ranging across all age groups and genres. Vigmostad & Bjørke started out as an academic publishing house, and is currenty one of the largest publishers of textbooks and academic publishing in Norway. There is also a sizeable publishing programme in the general publishing division. We have offices in both Bergen and Oslo.

Postal and visiting address, Bergen: Kanalveien 51, 5068 Bergen Norway

Postal and visiting address, Oslo: St. Olavsgate 12, 0165 Oslo Norway

Tel: +47 55 38 88 00